5 steps to take if you are at risk of prediabetes

Lysulin can help counteract the toxic effects of glucose on proteins in the body.

Diabetes affects about 30.1 million people in the United States. But a staggering 84 million additional people have prediabetes (a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not yet at diabetic levels), according to a report released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even more concerning, though, is that 90 percent of those with prediabetes don’t know they have it.

Prediabetes can often go undetected for years before serious symptoms develop. Fortunately, if you know the risk factors for prediabetes, you can take steps to prevent a diabetes diagnosis.

You may be at risk for prediabetes if you:

Smoke

Are overweight

Are older than 45

Have a family history of Type 2 diabetes

Follow a sedentary lifestyle

Developed gestational diabetes while pregnant

If you have a higher risk of prediabetes or already have a prediabetes diagnosis, use the following tips to turn your health around.

Adopt a healthy diet

Diet is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for prediabetes, the American Heart Association says. While many might find dieting unsavory (literally), there is actually a wide variety of eating patterns that are healthy and flavorful that can get you back on track, including:

The Mediterranean diet

Vegetarian or vegan diets

Low-carb diets

The main takeaway should be to limit foods that are high in added sugar and sodium. Instead, focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains for a heart-healthy regimen. Make a habit of reading food labels and tracking your calories and meals with an app or food journal. You can also work with a registered dietician or certified diabetes educator to create the right meal plan for you.

Visit your doctor regularly

If you have prediabetes, more frequent visits to your doctor (every three to six months) can help you stay on track, says WebMD. Regular checkups with your doctor allow you to monitor your progress and stay motivated and accountable for your health. This will also allow your doctor to identify other factors that may be affecting your success, such as stress or poor sleep, which could inadvertently sabotage your efforts.

In addition to regular checkups, those with prediabetes should have their blood sugar levels tested annually. If you are at risk for prediabetes, but your levels are currently normal, Harvard Health suggests getting tested every three years.

Between frequent checkups and regular testing, you will be more likely to catch problems before they escalate, and better manage your health.

Get active

In today’s world, it’s easy to find excuses to avoid exercise, but physical activity and exercise are an important part of diabetes intervention. Research published by the National Institutes of Health found that exercise intervention alone reduced patient risk for developing diabetes by 46 percent.

Fortunately, you don’t need to be a hardcore athlete to see hardcore results. Even small increases can have a significant effect on your overall health. Get started by working your way up to 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days a week. This can include:

A brisk walk or jog

Strength training

Swimming

Biking

Hiking

Heavy gardening

Just 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week (combined with a healthy diet and weight loss) can reduce your risk for diabetes by as much as 58 percent, the American Diabetes Association says.

Lose weight

As you increase your physical activity and adjust your eating habits, you’ll likely also lose some weight. This is good news because weight loss is a key part of a diabetes prevention plan.

Patients who lose approximately 10 percent of their body weight within six months of their diagnosis reduce their risk of developing diabetes in the next three years, according to research by scientists at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

Supplement your diet with Lysulin

Lysulin developer John Burd, a pioneer in the field of diabetes treatment, discusses the product's benefits.

There are additional aids that can help fill the gaps where other efforts fall short. For example, Lysulin is an over-the-counter supplement that works to reduce glucose levels by supporting healthy glucose metabolism through amino acid therapy.

The main ingredient, lysine, is an amino acid that reacts with glucose to prevent the formation of glycated proteins in your body, which can cause complications that lead to kidney failure, blindness and amputations.

In addition, Lysulin includes two more ingredients for added benefits: Zinc, which, combined with the amino acid therapy, can reduce insulin resistance over time and lower the overall risk for diabetes; and Vitamin C, which has been advocated in prediabetes diets and can lower hypertension and chronic inflammation (seen also as independent risk factors for diabetes). By taking just two tablets a day, you can supplement your prevention efforts and take control of your health.

Lysulin was developed by John Burd, Ph.D., one of the founders of San Diego-based Company DexCom, known for its continuous glucose monitoring systems designed to help people with diabetes manage the disease.

If you’re at risk for diabetes, don’t wait to take action. Use these tips to reduce your risk, improve your health and stay on track.

For additional information on how Lysulin can help, visit lysulin.com.